Fantasy Football IDP Guys Arizona Cardinals Buys Part III: Secondary

The Arizona Cardinals talented secondary should be productive once again in 2019.

This is the third article in this three-part series that covered the players on the Arizona Cardinals that I would recommend buying ahead of the 2019 season. Part one covered the recommendations on the defensive line and part two covered the linebackers. This article will cover the secondary.

Patrick Peterson was hoping to put his down year in 2017 behind him. Starting the 2018 season, that is exactly what he did. Peterson accumulated 30 of his 46 tackles and intercepted both of his passes in the first seven weeks of the 2018 season. However, the 28-year-old finished the season fairly quiet on the field. He did make quite a bit of noise off of it, specifically around the trade deadline. A week before the 2018 trade deadline, Peterson requested a trade. Cardinals owner, Michael Bidwill, refused. Peterson has since changed his stance and will be returning to Arizona for another season.

The #AZCardinals don’t have to worry about Patrick Peterson’s trade demand carrying further into the offseason. He announced on Wednesday at a Celebrity Pro-Am that he has rescinded the request (via @FainsWorld) https://t.co/acfSPbR1Pr

With Peterson signed through the 2020 NFL season, I expect him to have a solid 2019 season in year one of new Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph‘s defense. For a comparison, Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris had 40 tackles in 13 weeks of the 2018 season before going down with a broken leg.

Fantasy Recommendation:

Even though cornerback is always a deep position in IDP leagues, Peterson is someone I am targeting as an excellent buy low. If he is not on your waiver wire then I would look to get him as a throw-in as part of a bigger trade. If I am acquiring him individually, then I have no problem giving up a mid to late-round pick.

D.J. Swearinger, 27, was cut by the Washington Redskins at the end of week 16 and was claimed by his former team in the Cardinals. This, in my mind, shows how much the Cardinals believe in his talent. 2016 was his best year as a Cardinal, where he had 64 tackles across 16 games.

Safeties in Joseph’s system have usually done very well. In 2018, Justin Simmons, a 16 game starter, racked up a career-high 97 tackles and three interceptions. If Swearinger can let his play do the talking rather then his mouth, I think he will have a great chance to have a sold season.

Fantasy Recommendation:

Anytime you can find a safety with the potential of a top 20 finish, you should be all over that. Swearinger has the talent and Joseph will give him plenty of opportunities to produce. This is especially true given how much that defense might be on the field. I would be more than willing to give up a third-round pick, to get him, and enjoy the production.

Conclusion

Last year, the Cardinals defense ranked 20th in yards per game. I think that unit will be much improved under Joseph. Given how the Cardinals offense might still be a work in progress, I am looking to get any part of this defense I can. Opportunity is what owners look for when deciding who to add, and Joseph will get the most out of his defensive players. Hopefully, you find these recommendations helpful in your quest to build that championship roster for 2019. Please keep an eye out for part one on the Atlanta Falcons.

Follow me on Twitter @MorganMcLane and follow the show @IDPGuys, and the new podcast coming in March @NoBSidpAlso, tune in to the weekly IDPGuys podcast for the most up to date info to help you win your fantasy football leagues. Defense does win Championships!